Australia’s Permanent Migration Program Planning Levels 2026-27: Complete Breakdown & Visa Allocations

The Australian Government has officially announced the Permanent Migration Program planning levels 2026-27, maintaining the overall cap at 185,000 places.

While the total number of places and the approximate 70:30 split between Skilled and Family programs remain unchanged from last year, there are massive shifts in exactly how these places are being distributed among the different visa subclasses.

Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor staff, an offshore highly-skilled worker, or a temporary resident already living in Australia, here is everything you need to know about the 2026-27 migration changes.

70% of Places Allocated to Migrants in Australia

The most significant takeaway from this announcement is the government’s intense focus on onshore applicants.

Of the 185,000 total places, 129,590 places (70%) are specifically prioritized for migrants already living and working in Australia. The remaining 55,110 offshore places will be strictly targeted at high-skilled migrants who can address Australia’s long-term skill shortages and boost productivity.

Why the onshore focus?

This strategy aims to provide timely transitions to permanent residency for those already contributing to the Australian economy. Importantly, because these applicants are already inside the country, granting them permanent residency minimizes the program’s impact on Australia’s Net Overseas Migration (NOM)—which has already fallen by more than 40% from its 2023 peak.

Skilled Migration Program (132,240 Places)

The Skilled Migration Program makes up approximately 71% of the total intake. It is designed to fill critical skill shortages in sectors like health, ICT, engineering, construction, and education.

Here is how the allocations have shifted for the upcoming financial year:

• Employer-Sponsored (Subclass 186): 58,040 places. This is a massive increase from the previous year (44,000). The government is heavily supporting timely permanent residency transitions for temporary migrants who are actively filling skill gaps for Australian businesses.
• State/Territory Nominated (Subclass 190): 35,500 places. State-nominated visas saw a healthy increase, giving states more power to select the exact candidates their local economies need.
• Skilled Independent (Subclass 189): 21,090 places. The planning level for the 189 visa has increased, recognizing this visa’s strong track record of bringing highly skilled, fiscally positive workers into the economy.
• Regional (Subclass 491): 14,110 places. In a surprising move, the allocation for the Skilled Work Regional visa has more than halved (down from 33,000).
• Talent and Innovation: 3,500 places. This category has decreased to focus purely on exceptional, internationally recognized talent. Existing Global Talent and Distinguished Talent applicants will be transitioned into the new National Innovation Visa pipeline without being adversely affected.

Australian Family Program (52,460 Places)

Making up 28% of the total intake, the Family Program allows Australians to reunite with their loved ones.

• Partner Visas: 41,500 places
• Parent Visas: 7,060 places
• Child Visas: 3,500 places
• Other Family: 400 places.

Note: Partner and Child visas are demand-driven programs, meaning the government prioritizes family reunification and processes these without a hard legal cap (the numbers provided are indicative for planning and resourcing purposes).

(There are also 300 places allocated for Special Eligibility, which includes permanent residents returning to Australia).

What This Means for Your Permanent Residency Pathway

• You are the priority if you are already in Australia: The government is heavily favouring applicants who are currently living and working onshore for permanent residency.

• Employer Sponsorship is a top pathway: Because of the massive increase in visa spots, getting sponsored by your current boss (Subclass 186 visa) is one of the safest and strongest options this year.

• Regional Visas will be much harder to get: With a huge drop in available spots for the Regional visa (Subclass 491), competition will be fiercely high, so you may need a backup plan.

Need Help Navigating These Changes?

With changing allocations, highly competitive state nomination lists, and a heavy focus on onshore applicants, having a strategic migration plan is more important than ever.

Contact Us Today to assess your eligibility and find the fastest pathway to permanent residency under the new 2026-27 planning levels.

Related Articles:

• Australian Federal Budget 2026-27 – Migration Updates